Cow-milking apparatus.



No. 854,643. PATENTED MAY 21, 1907. J. HARTNETT & D. M. ROBISON.

00W MILKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26, 190.4.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

il messes No. 854,643. PATENTED MAY 21, 1907. J. HARTNBTT @n D. M.ROBISON.

00W MILKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

9' 91.7. Egli.

No. 854,643. PATENTED MAY 21, 1907. J. HARTNETT & D. M. ROBISON.

Gow MILKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Werf/liess eS 110.8516113. k 1- 1111111111111 MAY 21, 19071` Y 1.HARTNBTT @E D. 1/1. RoBIsoN.

COW MILKING APPARATUS. APPLIQAIO'N FILED SEPT. 26, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

s UNITED sTATns PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN IIARTNETT, or BALWYN, ANDl DAVID MOFFATT RoBIsoN, or' sT.

KILDA, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

COW-MILKING APPARATUS.

Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented may 21,1907.

Application filed September 26, 1904. Serial N0. 226,027

,To all 1111111711, it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN HARTNETT, re-

siding at Yerrin street, Balwyn, engineer,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to Improvements in cow milking ap aratus whereina differential vacuum is emp oyed, that having the higher degree actingintermittently in the annular space between a rubber lining or sleeve(hereinafter termed a lining) and the rigid casing of a teat cup inorder to expand the said lining to allow the teat to iill with milk,while the lower degree vacuum acts constantly (While the cow is beingmilked) within the said rubber lining and in the milk receptacle orpailin order to hold the cup upon the teat, to assist the lining to crush orsqueeze the teat and to assist the flow of the milk. The intermittent orpulsating action of the high degree or superior vacuum is controlled bya novel pulsator appliance which alternately Opens communication betweenthe high degree Vacuum main and said annular space in teat cup andbetween the atmosphere and said annular s ace in order to firstexpand'the lining to re ieve its pressure Jfrom about the teat and thenallow the lning while returning to its normal state to crush or squeezethe teat. Also an improved automatic cut ofi appliance is preferablyemployed and which Is designed to release the teat cups when the cow issuliciently milked. Further two vacuum reservoirs are provided one forthe high degree or superior vacuuniand the other for the low degreevacuum and which latter is produced `by employing a reducing valvebetween the sator appliance shown in Fig. 1.

panying sheets of drawings throughout which similarl numerals will beemployed to indicate corresponding parts. Figures 1, 2, 3 and 14 beingdrawn tO a smaller scale than the other figures.

Fig. l1 shows a general arrangement of a milking apparatus embodying ourimprovements. Fig. 2 a plan of the milk receptacle and its automaticreleasers. Fig. 3 a side view Olxthe lever gear for operating the pul-Fig. 4 a

central longitudinal section of the pulsator appliance taken on line aJa of Fi.` 5 a section on line b b of Fig. 4. ig. 6 a central sectionthrough one form of teat cu and Figs. 7, 8 and 9 sections on lines c c,d and e e respectively of Fig. 6. Fig. 10 a similar view to Fig. 6 of amodiiied form of teat cup andFig. 11 a top plan of same. Fig. 12acentral vertical section of the automatic releaser shown in Figs. 1, 2and 14. Fig. 13 a centralvertical section of the spring loaded vacuumreducing valve shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 14 is a side view of the milkreceptacle and releasers shown in Fig. 1 but furnished with amodiiiedform of pulsator appliance. Fig. 15 a central longitudinal section ofthe pu sator appliance shown in Fig. 14. Fig. 16 a section of same takenon line ff of Fig. 14 and Fig. 17 a section taken on line g g of Fig. 16showing the construction of the valve box'. v

Each teat cup is constructed of a rubber 1 and Fig. i

lining 1l arranged withiina tubular metallic approximately oval sectionalthough it may be circular at such position and whereat it is weakestas from such point the rubber gradually increases in thickness towardboth its end'parts, which are circular. The upper end part of the rubbersleeve 1 is turned over at 3 upon the rigid metallic tubular casing 2which has a branch 4 at its side. The lower end part of the rubbersleeve 1 (Fig. 6) is made into the form of a bead which takes into asuitably grooved metal cap 5 which is provided with a nozzle 6 and tap 7while the lower end of casing 2 fits closely upon outside Of lining 1.ln Fig. 10 the lower end part of liningl is turned over upon the endpart of casing 2 and then covered by a metal ICO IOS

' cap'S which is 'also provided a tap and nozzle.` The upper lend'ofeach teat cup is furnished with an annular rubber flange or cap 9 therim of which fits over the outer portionof lining 1, or said cap may beformed integral with the rubber lming. -An eyelet 10 is formed whereshown to receive a cord or cha'in by means of which the teat cupissuspended when freed from the cows teat.

The lining 1, shown -in Fig. 6, at its smallest internal part has a beadcorrugation or projection h which allows freedom for the lining toexpand to 'about the position indicated by dotted lines in said figure,also said projection imparts anA efficient crushing action on the teatnear its root to close the passage way ithrough it from under while themilk in teat is being withdrawn. In Fig. 10 the lining 1 is cup isconnected by a tube with a nozzle on the claw 13 and said claw isconnected by tube 16 with the automatic releaser, or when the latter isnot used, direct with the milk receptacle or pail while 16al is a pipeconnectingmilk pail with the low degree vacuum main. I

The pulsator appliance `shown in` Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5 consistsof acasing 17 furnished with a chamber or branch 18 provided with.

two nozzles 19 each of which receive the end of a tube 14 leading from achamber 12 on separate claws 13 (there being one claw for each cow) alsocasin 17 has another branch 20 for connection to t e high orsuperiorvacuum main 2'1 and further it has a port or opening 22 which isopen to the atmosphere. Within saidcasing 17 is a tapered plug 23 thelatter having a port or passage 24 at its side which maybe so placed asto connect any two ofthe adjoining lo enings or branches as byconnecting branc es 18 and 20 the high vacuum is admitted to the annularchamber in teat cups while by connecting branches 18 and22 atmos hericpressure is admitted .to saidannular c amber. Also the plug may beplaced as shown in Fig. 5 to close communication between the saidbranches. The plug 23 is fitted at its smaller end with a lever 25 whichis connected by a rod 26 with another 'lever 27 on a rock or oscillatingshaft 28 so that an oscillating movementis given to the glug 23 for thepurpose hereinbefore stated.

aid pultor appliance is furnished with a 'bracket s that 1t may beconveniently sescribed.

The automatic releaser 29 shown in Figs. 1, 2, 12 and 14 is preferablyarranged upon cured to be operated and'connected up as de the cover .ofthe milk receptacle or'pail although 1t-m a be separatewtherefrom and beconnected Wit 1t by a tube or pipe. T he said releaser consists of a oat31 controlling l and shut oli valve 40 which is designedto regulate thequantity of milk retained' in the float-chamber and to shut ofi the lowdegree vacuum when the milk ceases to flow from cow. Said valve 40, asshown in Fig. 12, its freely in passage way 33 formed in the centralpart of the bottom of iioat chamber and when the valve is in the ositionshown the milk drips slowly throug said passage. v

The bottom end of valve 4() is'made conical to fit a seating formedabout passage way 34 in bottom plate of releaser and-When thereon cutsofi' communication with the milk receptacle. Said 'float 31 is arrangedin a cylindrical casing 41 forming the floaty chamber between which andouter casing 29 is an annular space or mllk passage way 42 com-ymunication to which is had from l'oat chamber at its upper end by holesor ports 43 and Jrrom the lowerpart ofannular space 42 by ports or holes44 (which lie below the bottom plate of float chamber) to the lowerchamber ICO 45 from which the milk flows throughpassage 34 to the milkreceptacle. The upper part or'cover 46 of releaser has its tubular neck38 furnishedl with sight holes 47 which expose an inner glass tube 47while at 011e side of neck is a branch or nozzle 48 which is connectedto tube 16 leading to thev teat cu claw 13. Centered at the to end ofspind e. f

35 is a balanced ro or hol er 49 the object 3() and thus rovide a way orcommunication for the low egree vacuum between the milk receptacle andthe teat oups.

Two vacuum reservoirs 50 and 51 are employed the first being for thehigh degree vacuum Vwhich is used to produce the pulsations, on therubber' teat lining 1 through the medium of the pulsator a pliance 17,and the other reservoir for the ow degree vacuum which is producedthrough the medium of a reducin valve53 located in a valve box 52. Thehig vacuum reservoir 50 is connected with an air or vacuum (not shown')and the hj'g yvacuum main 21 with the low vacuum reservoir 51 throughthe intervention of the reducing valve53. The reducing valve ispreferablyy of the spring -loaded type as shown 1n Fig. 13 said valvebeump vor steam ljetl ing placed between the two 'vacuum'reservoirs 50and 51 with its valve controlled outlet leading by pipe 21a to the lowvacuum reservoir while its other branches are connected with the highvacuum main 21. In place of thelspring-loaded valve Fig. 13 a deadweight valve as shown in Fig. 16 may be em loyed.

In gligs. 14 to 17 a modified form of the pulsator appliance is shown.It consists of a cylinder 54 mounted preferably on the milk 4 receiver30 and provided with -a nozzle 19 at each end for connection to the tube14 leading through chamber 12 on claw to the side of teat cups, saidcylinder is furnished with two pistons 56 secured one at each end of apiston rod 57. A circular valve box 58 is carriedby a bracket from thecylinder and it is provided with a circular oscillatingvalve 59 thespindle 60 of which'is supported at its outer end by a screwed pivotalpin 61 carried in another bracket projecting up from cylin-4 der. Thevalve 59 is controlled by a weighted reciprocating lever 62 centered onsaidv valve spindle and having its upper weighted part arranged to workbetween two pins 63 projecting from back of valve 59. The lower portionof said lever passes through a groove 64 in the top of cylinder casingand then descends into and through a slot 65 in the piston rod, itslowermost end bearing alternately against one of two collars 66 whichare loose on piston rod 57 and each of said collars bear against acoiled spring 67 while the other end of each spring bears against theback of a piston. Valve box 58 has a central hole or port 68 throughwhich the high pressure vacuum is admitted also two ports or passages 69which lead by pipes 70 to each' end of the cylinder land further it hasa through port'71 leading to atmosphere. The valve 59 has a recessedport 72 for leading the high pressure vacuum to either end of cylinderand through nozzles 19 to the annular chamber in teat cups, and also ithas a semi-annular recessed exhaust port 73 which opens either end ofcylinder and the annular space in teat cups through port 71 toatmosphere. The area of passage way between pipes and each end part ofcylinder is regulated by screwed valves 74. It is by the reciprocatingmovement of the pistons when acted on alternately by the vacuum that theweighted lever 62 is canted from one side of its vertical center to theother suchbeing aided by the coiled spring forcing the lever over itscenter y and thus taking the valve with it to place its of dead weightreducing valve 53 the upner end of the casing 52 of which is connecte tothe high vacuum main 21 while its lower end has a seating for valve 53and below it is a passage way for the low degree vacuum.

aid dead weight valve 53 being loose in its casing is guided by the sideribs 75.

When the apparatus is in operation the normal action of the linings 1 sueezes or crushes the teats in order to expe the milk but when the highvacuum is' admitted through medium of the pulsator to the annular spacebetween said linings and the rigid casing, the linings are expanded toabout the position (shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6.) at same timeallowing the teat to expand and iill with milk, then when the highvacuum is released by the pulsator admitting air to said annular spacethe linings resume their normal positions. and in doing so squeeze orcrush the teats and more so near their root whereat by aid of theprojecting beads the passage way to udder is closed when theA milk isreadily withdrawn and ex elled from the teat. The low vacuum whic isconstant inside the linings as before described holds the teat cups -inposition u on the teats and assist the linings to crus the teats as wellas assisting the flow of the milk and. such operation continues untilthe automatic releaser cuts off the vacuum within the teat cup lining. f

The complete operation of the automatic releaser is as follows :L-Thefloat is first partially raised by placing the balanced prop 49 in anapproximately vertical position, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 12,with one end resting on the top of neck then the teat cups are placed inposition on the cow. As soon as a suflicient quantity of milk reachesthe float chamber the iioat31will rise and shut the valve 3() also thebalanced holder 49 will by spindle 35 rising be freed and swing to itshorizontal idle position. The float will now'remain up as long as milkis ilowing from the cow and which milk consequent on the iioat chamberbeing full iinds a rapid outlet from releaser through ports 43, annularchannel 42 and ports 44 into lower chamber 45 and from it throughpassage 34 to the milk receptacle. When the milk ceases to flow from thecow the milk which is below and around the float 31 drains more freelyfrom the float chamber 41 through the throttled passage way 33.Meanwhile the float will gradually fall and carry its attached valveswith it and when the throttle part of valve 40 is just below theopening33 the area of outlet way is increased (by reason of the hollowedside of valve) thus allowing the milk remaining in the iioat chamber todrain quickly away when the float will fall and its lower conical valvewill close passage way 34 and thus shut off the vacuum from the milkreceiver, at the same `time the air admitted through the annular space32 around s indle 35 destroys the low vacuum in the tu es and teat cu swhen the latter will fall from the teats an swing clear of the cov/andground, through the teat cups as beforel stated being suspended by acord or chain. ,n

Having now described our invention what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is;

1r ln cow milking apparatus an automatic releaser having a float,provided at its bottom with a throttle and vacuum cut-ofi valve theformer for throttling a passage way in bottom of float chamber and thelatter for closing a passage way leading. to the milk receptaclesubstantially as described and shown.

2. In cow milking ap aratus an automatic releaser consisting of a oatcontrolling three valves and arranged within a float chamber which has amilk exit way at its sides and bottom, the said exit way being incommunication with the oat chamber at itstop and at its bottom with thelower chamber leading to the milk rece tacle while at top part ofreleaser is a neck aving a sight tube and' a nozzle for connection to atube leading to teat cups and on the top end of spindle above the neckcap a cam prop all substantially as described and shown.

3. In cow milking apparatus, teat cups, vto which a differential vacuumis imparted, an intermittent high degree vacuum being created withinchamber about the linings and a low degree constant vacuum in interiorchamber of linings, combined with a pulsating appliance and milk pailand their connecting tubes and with a high and a low delgiree vacuumreservoir or mains having areucinfr valve between. them substantially asdescribed and shown.

- 4. In cow milking apparatus the combinay tion of a high degree vacuumpipe 21 leading to reservoir 50, reducing valve 53, low degree vacuumpipe .21a leadingfrom the latterand communicating with the low degreevacuum reservoir 51 and by pipe 1a with the milk pail 30 substantiallyas described and shown. y

5. In cow milking apparatus the combination of a high degree vacuumVpipe 21 and its reservoir 50 reducing valve 53, low degree vacuum pipe21a leading to low degree vacuum reservoir 51 and by pipe '16a to themilk pail 30 and the high degree vacuum pi e leading to pulsator 17substantially as diescribed and shown.

6. In a cow milking apparatus, a teat cup having a flexible liningprovided near its open end with stiflened opposing inner teat crushingportions adapted to crush the teatnear its root and thereby close thepassage from udder to teat while the milk is being Withdrawn from theteat. y

7. A milking apparatus, wherein a diflerl 854,64ej l ential vacuum isemployed, com rising a teat cup having a casing'and a lexi le liningforming a high-degree-vacuum space within the casing and around thelining, intermittingly operating means comprising a ulsator forintermittingly maintaining the 'gh de gree vacuum in said space andopening said space to the atmosphere, and means for constantlymaintaining a low-degree vacuum within said lining, substantially asdescribed.`

8. In a milking apparatus, wherein a differential vacuum is employed,comprising a teat cup embodying a casing and a flexible lining, ahigh-degree vacuum space being formed at the exterior ofthe liningrsaidteat cup having` means to intermittingly release and crush the teat nearits root, means for intermittingly opening said space to communicationwith the atmosphere andmaintaining the high degree-.vacuum therein, andmeans for constantly maintaining the lowdegree vacuum within saidlining.

9. In `a cow milking apparatus, a teat cup comprising a flexible liningwhich `is thickest at both ends, and a rigid tubular casing within whichsaid lining is secured, means for alternately reducing the pressure andrestoring atmospheric pressure at the exterior of said lining, and meansJfor constantly maintan-- ing a low-degree vacuum in said lining.

10. In a cow milking apparatus, a teat cu i having a llexible liningrovided at its smal est part and at each si e with an inner rib,corrugation-or projection located near its to end to operate on the teatnear its root an designed to close the passage way from udder to teatthereat, while the milk is being with drawn from teat, substantially asdescribed.

1 1; In a cow milkingapparatus, a teat cup comprising a metallic'lcasing and aflexible lining within and spaced from the casing, means forintermittingly exhausting the air roo'Y from the chamber between thecasing and 2 lining, and means for maintaining a llow-degree vacuumWithin the lining.

12. ln a coW milking ap aratus, a teat cup comprising a casing and aexible lining Within the cup, means for intermittingly creating IIO ahigh degree vacuum between the lining and Y casing, and means forcreating a constant low degree vacuum within the lining.

13. In a cow milking apparatus, a teat cup comprising a casing and alining within the casing, means for maintaining a constant low degreevacuum Within the lining, means for creating a high degree vacuumbetween the lining and casing,.and means foradmitting atmosphericpressure between the lining and casing between the intervals ofoperation of the high degree vacuum.

14. In a cow milking apparatus, a teat cup comprising 4a casing and aflexible lining therein, a pulsator in: communication with a vacuum.chamber, the teat cup and the atmosphere, and a valve Within thepulsator liso operating to alternately connect the space between thecasing and lining with the vacuum chamber and with the atmosphere.

15. In a cow milking a paratus, a teat cup comprising a casing an aflexible lining, means for alternately creating avacuum witliin and atthe exterior of the lining, and means to automatically release thevacuum at one surface of the lining, whereby to automaticallydiscontinue the 'action of the apparatus.

16. In a cow milking apparatus, a teat cup comprising a casing and aflexible lining therein, means for creating a high degree vacuum onv oneside of the lining, means for creating a low degree vacuum on theopposite side of the lining, and means to autoinatically release saidlow degree vacuum to discontinue the action of the apparatus.

17. In a cow milking apparatus, a teat cup comprising `a casing and aflexible lining therein, means for creating a high degree lvacuum on oneside of the lining, means for creating a low degree Vacuum on theopposite side of tlie'lining, and to automatically release said lowdegree vacuum to discontinue the action ofthe apparatus, said lattermeans being controlled by the .flow of milk from the teat cup.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands iii presence of twowitnesses.

Witnesses:

BEDLINGTON BoDYooMB,

W. J. S. THOMPSON.

